Our scripture this morning is Luke 12:13-15.
Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But He said to him, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Jesus isn’t interested in mediating arguments over possessions and wealth. He teaches us about letting greed divide us from God and each other. The Ten Commandments warn us against coveting and greed is a form of this!
In Proverbs 23:4-5 we read ”Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.“ Possessions and wealth are temporary, our souls are eternal. Jesus wants us to focus on that.
Bettering ourselves and being wealthy are not wrong in themselves, but how we go about it can be. Does our search for “more” interfere with our relationship to God and each other? If we have material wealth do we use it for the good of the kingdom or only for our own comfort?
Gracious God, You have given us everything in love. Help us to be good stewards of Your gifts, sharing unselfishly with all Your children. Amen.
